CBC’s Battle of the Blades boasts a strong Peterborough connection

Husband a wife team looking forward to getting back on the ice with CBC’s Battle of the Blades.

PETERBOROUGH -- A Peterborough-based pairs figure skating couple are gearing up for another season of the CBC’s Battle of the Blades.

Violetta Afanasieva is returning for her third season of competition, along with her husband and coach Pete Dack.

The husband and wife team live just north of Peterborough in Fowlers Corners and skate together professionally and perform in ice shows year round.

The couple first met in Europe in 1999, while skating with the Holiday On Ice company but it was off the ice where the couple first found their chemistry.

At the time, they were skating with different partners and it wasn’t until they began dating that they decided to skate together.

“Everything came together very organically,” says Afanasieva.

The couple were married in Peterborough in 2002 and have been touring around the world together ever since.

“We travel a lot and are away for most of the year,” says Afanasieva. “But the nice part is we are always together.”

Dack grew up in Peterborough and got into figure skating to help improve his stride for hockey, but he stuck with the sport and competed as a solo skater, reaching the national ranks, and going head-to-head with some of the country’s biggest start including Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning.

Eventually Dack turned to pairs skating, a move he admits helped extend his career and something he wishes he did earlier.

“I don’t have to jump anymore,” jokes Dack. “I’m getting a little older now and don’t know if I could keep it up. I look at guys like Stojko and Browning and I’m amazed they can still pull of those tricks.”

Working together on the ice Dack and Afanasieva shine, they won the first ever “Extreme Ice Skating World Championships” in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2006.

On the ice, the couple says its not always easy, they do have experience some tensions, when it comes to choreography and routine but the couple says if there was ever a problem on the ice, they would never let it affect their relationship off the ice.

“We wouldn’t do it if it was affecting our relationship off the ice,” says Afanasieva. “We’re lucky enough to make it work and understand it’s our job.”

Afanasieva loves the opportunity to be in the spotlight. She grew up in a circus family. Her mother and father were both skaters with the Moscow production “Circus on Ice,” which Afanasieva joined when she was 14.

“I always wanted to be at the centre of the ice with all eyes on me,” she says. “I love to perform and interact with the fans. It’s an incredible feeling that bring this adrenaline high.”

The Battle of the Blades competition is a little differen, for Dack as he is now on the sidelines working as a coach and, in a way, it’s a little more nerve wracking watching these big strong NHL guys pulling off some pretty dynamic moves on the ice, including lifts and throws.

The skaters reported for the Battle of the Blades boot camp in August and spent the first few days skating around and getting used to the feel of wearing figure skates, and of course, there was some adjustments to be made, as the NHLers hit the ice a few times.

“First of all they have to get over the toe pick,” says Dack. “We spend countless hours on the ice teaching them the techniques and getting them used to the skates and from there we get into the trickier aspects like lifts and throws.”

Afanasieva says it just takes some time to get used to the skates, but in the meantime it’s pretty funny to see these guys sprawling out on the ice.

“I try to pretend I’m not looking when they fall,” she says. “But it’s quite the stomach exercise.”

In 2012, Battle of the Blades was put on hold after the federal government cut the CBC’s budget by 10 per cent, or $115 million.

But the show is back with a new format and instead of airing on back-to-back nights, the producers have narrowed it all down into one program per week.

“I was sad the show didn’t come back last year, but am excited it’s back,” says Afanasieva. “I think it helps boost both sports.”

The competitors are on the ice every day, working hard to hone their routines.

Afanasieva says the competition is fun and deep down she is cheering for everyone but she also wants to make it far.

“I love doing the show it’s very different from our day-to-day lives,” she says. “From doing interviews to changing up the routines and skating to different songs, I can’t wait for it to begin.”

In her first season Afanasieva skated with PJ Stock, finishing fifth, and in her second season she skated with Cale Hulse and finished fourth.

This season she is paired with Jason Strudwick, a 14-year NHL veteran who was known for his physical play on the ice but is making great strides and showing some finesse.

“I can see the struggle and frustration at the start,” says Afanasieva. “These guys know how to feel on the ice, they’ve played hockey their entire life, but with figure skating they are not quite in their comfort zone and they have to get used to that.”

Beside getting used to the toe pick, Dack says the toughest part for the hockey pros is to let their personality show and look comfortable doing it, while wearing tight clothing.

Eight teams will be competing for the 100,000 prize being donated to the winners charity of choice.

As far the competition goes the public can decide who the winner is and on the ice, it’s Afanasieva and her partner’s job to show a strong connection.

“The chemistry is there, I just hope it will come across that way on the television,” she says. “We have to get Canada emotionally involved in us, as it’s up to the fans to vote.”

The show premiered last Sunday (Sept. 22) with a look back at the first three seasons while introducing the new cast. This year’s on-ice performances begin this Sunday, at 8 p.m.

Each skater has a charity of choice they are skating for and the Battle of the Blades will make a $12,500 donation to each charity. For Afanasieva, that is the Kawartha Humane Society.

“I don’t have any pets because of the travelling we do but I have always loved animals,” she says. “And the Kawartha Humane Society are not funded by the government and so I know the money is greatly needed and will go to good use.”

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(1) Comment

By DONALD|SEPTEMBER 29, 2013 09:40 PM

Awesome skating program & an excellent way to raise some money for charity. My wife Donna & I have enjoyed all three years of the 'Battle of the Blades' competition and cannot wait for the season to start. Of course we love to watch many of the world competition events too. We have also attended every 'Rock the Ice' show in Peterborough...last year we sat in seating on the ice & even had Elvis Stoyko slide across the ice directly towards us, stopping at our feet. Awesome event here in Peterborough. Hope Violetta & Pete can perform here again. We would not miss this show or the CBC Battle, ever. From another Fowlers Corners area couple, Don & Donna Ditchburn